Equalization Research Of Medical Service Based On Accessibility

It exists large disparities in the development between urban and rural areas, and also between different villages and towns in China, which is especially prominent in the field of health care. It is common to see that the remote rural areas are suffering from a shortage of medical resources, the medically backward service, and the poor healthcare security. As the important part of public service system, the healthcare reform and planning is not only to solve the difficulties of getting medical treatment, but also to give consideration to the efficiency of facility utilization and the equality of resource allocation. This paper aims to evaluate the regional distribution characteristics of medical service by using GIS, accessibility calculating and Spatial Statistics Analysis, and to find shortage area of medical service and provide the decision-making basis for healthcare reform and planning.Taking the county of Songzi in Hubei Province as its survey region, the following studies have mainly been completed. Firstly, through the field survey and data collection, the database of medical service has been established, including administrative areas, population distribution, medical service facilities and transportation network diagram of geographic elements. Secondly, cost analysis and attractive index analysis have been used to select five spatial accessibility indexes and calculate the accessibility of medical service of270settlements and16towns in Songzi county. Thirdly, combing with the geographical position and accessibility status, global and local autocorrelation analysis area utilized to assess medical service level in county area. Fourthly, comprehensively analyze the results above and create thematic maps, and then analysis of layout characteristics of medical facilities as a whole to identify the shortage area of medical service and discuss the forming reason and policy recommendations.All the geospatial data are managed in ArcGIS10.0software and Geo-data Analysis software. Using GIS data management function to settle all kinds of data, and to establish geographical spatial database and make thematic maps. Using GIS Network Analyst to calculate the shortest time between settlements and hospitals. Using Spatial Statistics Analysis and Geo-data Analysis software to realize the analysis of global and local autocorrelation. There are several findings from cases. Firstly, whether from the per capita medical resources distribution and medical access, or from the convenience of seeking medical advice of the side, medical service level of Songzi County exists unbalanced conditions of county area and town area. Secondly, as the important factor of seeking medical advice, spatial accessibility index can directly assess the medical treatment cost of settlement points and the convenience. Thirdly, spatial relation analysis has enormously application value in the current situation study of public service equalization and spatial planning. Fourthly, based on further studying of the difference between varying economic development and health development, according to health needs of residents and the government’s supply ability, the equal access to the path should be designed, and medical service equalization must be accomplished step by step.